Simplicity: One Base Baseball

 

Spring is here! It’s been so sunny and warm here on the west coast the past week or so. (Although I hear it’s supposed to rain starting tomorrow, so don’t be too jealous.) In our family, warmer weather means playing outside. The kids have been doing this all winter long, of course – we have pretty mild winters here – but now it’s not too cold for Mom and Dad to join in! Since our family isn’t huge, we’ve had to make up games to play together; we can’t just start up a game of basketball, for instance. The game I’m going to share with you today is one of those modifications. Will made it up about three years ago, and we’ve played it every year since then.

The game is very simple. All you need is a ball (we use a tee-ball, not a true baseball – it’s a little softer) and two markers to use as “bases.” If you have baseball mitts, they’re a nice addition, but not required.

How to Play

The parents are essentially playing “Catch.” The kids’ goal is to make it from the place where the first parent is to the outer base and back before the ball moves from Parent A to Parent B and back. I realize this sounds a little confusing, so allow me to try to make it clearer using specific examples from our family.

I start with the ball. Munchkin stands next to me, ready to run.

I say, “Ready?”

He replies, “Yes!”

“Go!!”

After the kids have taken 3 or 4 steps, I throw the ball to Will, who is across the field, somewhere near the base. He catches the ball (usually) and throws it back to me. I catch the ball (slightly less often than Will) and touch the base with my foot. If Munchkin has reached the base before I do with the ball, he gets a “run.” If I get there first, he gets an “out.” The children are allowed 3 runs or 3 outs, whichever comes first. Then it’s their brother’s turn.

It’s so simple, and yet so fun. The kids absolutely love this game. It’s become a staple in our summer activity list (along with our Bocce ball set and our Frisbee). I hope you give it try with your little ones!

What’s your favorite spring/summer activity?

Blessings,

Wendy